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Monthly column on hymns and songs

'Sing to the Lord', a hymn book supplement for St Paul's Cathedral

Here is another interesting hymn book! But first: Where today would a classic evangelical preach to congregations of up to 3,000 people? Some big holiday or conference event, perhaps; or would we need to travel abroad to find it?

The answer is, St Paul's Cathedral, London; the book, 'Sing to the Lord', where the Dean and Chapter have authorised 105 extra hymns to supplement their traditional sources. I am sorry I cannot commend the book to you - but only because this is a limited edition, not for sale. But what a sign of our times!
Five of the total are classics from bygone ages, including Wesley, Newton and Frank Houghton of CIM/OMF. That leaves a round 100 to check out. By my reckoning, at least 17 evangelical writers of our generation are represented by 59 hymns or more. They include non-Anglicans like Margaret Clarkson and the late Leith Samuel. My numbers err on the cautious side, since not all names are known to me, though their texts look sound enough!

English cathedrals have not always been famous as models of biblical worship, vibrant with the Gospel, even where there are evangelical deans or provosts. Twenty or even ten years ago, the production of such a book by London's great cathedral would have been unthinkable. Now the choir, musicians, congregation and countless visitors can all enjoy it.

What about . . .?

But someone will say: 'Ah! What about the other 41 hymns?' 29 more authors contributed them, with labels ranging from RC to URC. But virtually nothing unsingable by Protestants and, incidentally, almost nothing from charismatic quarters. Those looking for nourishment will find plenty.

These 100 set forth the praise of the Holy Trinity, including one Creator, Father and Judge of all. Here is the eternal Word, the virginal conception, the incarnate God; the life, teaching and mighty works of Christ; his suffering and atoning death, the cross as a ransom price, the redeeming blood - all these not just once but in many hymns. Then the empty grave, the risen, ascended and reigning Lord; the coming of the creative, sanctifying, empowering, interceding Holy Spirit.

Here too is redemption applied; sin and repentance ('the sinner surely dies'), new birth and conversion, justification by faith, the call to holiness, the realities of judgement, heaven and hell. And the need to witness, to evangelise the world till Jesus returns in glory. Even the Lord's Supper comes in biblical terms; here are the ten commandments and six hymns specifically honouring Holy Scripture. What have I left out? Many other topics from Old Testament and New, and today's world. One hymn you saw first in EN.

For those with ears to hear, one more thing must be said. In order to reach such a point, evangelicals have to work firmly and patiently alongside those they don't always agree with. This applies to much more than hymn books and cathedrals. It is so easy to opt out as soon as a colleague voices a dodgy view or commends a dubious hymn. 'And can it be' contains at least three heresies, for those eager to find them! If we do that, or start denouncing those who stick at it, a book like this, even the latest 'Ancient and Modern', would never appear at all.

As I write, the future of the Millennium Dome looks shaky, to put it mildly. Christopher Wren's older version seems set, God willing, for a bit longer yet. I am delighted that the dome on the northern bank of the Thames continues to ring with the music of our God's redeeming grace. St. Paul himself (if, for once, we may call him that) would surely rejoice.

Christopher Idle